Training Tips

A student learned that the flight school's most popular trainer had been involved in a loss-of-control-on-landing accident the previous day. The pilot flying the trainer wasn't injured, but the aircraft needs repairs. The student overhears the pilot talking about the accident with two of the school's instructors, saying, "It was a classic case of get-down-itis. All I could think was, 'I have to get this plane on the ground.'" The pilot exhibited the hazardous attitude of impulsivity, one that is often associated with aircraft mishaps that follow a sequence of events that otherwise might have concluded safely. Read more...

Flight Training News

What's your definition of a perfect liftoff and departure? In Takeoffs and Landings: Normal Takeoffs, flight instructors examine the process, while in-flight footage shows what a normal takeoff should look like and what it often turns out to be. May all of your takeoffs be well-managed and safe. Watch the video...

ACE Academy accepting 2015 applications

The Indianapolis Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy is accepting applications for its 2015 program. The weeklong summer program, which runs July 6 through 11, introduces middle and high school students to careers and opportunities in the aviation industry. Students will have an opportunity to observe and interact with professionals from the aviation community, receive career mentoring, and take field trips in the program, one of many co-sponsored by the FAA.

Cincinnati college approved for R-ATP

The University of Cincinnati - Clermont College Aviation Technology: Professional Pilot Training Program graduates now may earn the restricted airline transport pilot certificate, which allows pilots to fill first-officer positions with fewer than 1,500 hours, the university announced April 28. Pilots earning R-ATP certification must graduate from an FAA-approved program, and may earn credit for specific education and training in lieu of the standard 1,500 hours for an airline transport certificate. Flight training for the two-year program is conducted at Sporty's Academy at Clermont County Airport in Batavia, Ohio.

Did you know that student pilots who join AOPA are three times more likely to complete their flight training? Membership includes unlimited access to aviation information by phone (800/USA-AOPA, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time) or from Flight Training Online or AOPA Online. If you're not already a member, join today and get the pilot's edge.

AOPA Live

Drones might lead to cheaper avionics for you—see this report from the Unmanned Systems 2015 conference; watch a sneak peek of Yuichi Takagi looping and rolling before he makes his aerial demonstration debut at AOPA's Salinas Fly-In May 16; celebrate the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders for receiving the Congressional Gold Medal; and find out how you can own a still-airworthy Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1A. Watch AOPA Live This Week®, May 7...

Career Pilot

Can the United States provide enough pilots to meet industry needs in the coming years? Industry officials debated the question of whether a pilot shortage is imminent or a reality at a panel discussion April 28. Read more...

Plane Spotter

Stylish by convention

Back when conventional landing gear was truly the convention, it was common for a general aviation aircraft designed for business or luxury travel to have a big, powerful radial engine. And if that conventional landing gear—meaning two mains and a tailwheel—retracted, the eye-catching aircraft would be capable of serious speed and altitude performance. Such was, and remains, the case with the Depression-era-built Spartan Executive 7W, powered by a 450-horsepower Pratt and Whitney engine, and capable of cruising at 200 mph while lifting 4,400 pounds to 24,000 feet.

Training Products

Free videos cover landing tips

The University of North Dakota's John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences introduces a number of training topics in free instructional videos available on YouTube. For a look at takeoffs and landings—from normal approach and landing to how poor energy management can lead to a faulty approach—see the university's Takeoffs and Landings playlist.

Note: Products listed have not been evaluated by ePilot editors unless otherwise noted. AOPA assumes no responsibility for products or services listed or for claims or actions by manufacturers or vendors.

Member Benefits

When negotiating the price of buying an airplane, it's easy to get so caught up in getting the best deal on the purchase price that other costs associated with aircraft ownership get neglected. Read more...

Blogs

Letters of recommendation: You will at some point need to ask for some, and at some point you will likely be asked to provide some. Blogger Chip Wright offers advice for writing a successful letter of recommendation. Read more...

Not all checklists are equal—some are lousy while others are expertly crafted. The important lesson is to use the checklist, according to Opinion Leaders blogger Ron Rapp, because "it's not the neophyte who is at greatest risk for missing something, it's the grizzled veteran who whips through the flows at lightning speed and then neglects to use the checklist at all." Read more...

Final Exam

Question

Your flight school bought an airplane that is a newer model of the one you were flying previously. Although the flight characteristics are similar, there are a few differences in airspeed limitations. Where can a pilot find this information?

Answer

This information can be found in the Airplane Flight Manual, sometimes referred to as the Pilot's Operating Handbook. Limitations are found in Section 2. (Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 8.)

Career Opportunities

Florida Flyers is looking for qualified flight instructors to join its busy Part 141 operation. With more than 30 airplanes, successful candidates can expect average monthly flight time/dual instruction of at least 120 hours per month. Multiple positions are available now! Apply for this exciting opportunity today.

Aviation Calendar

Want something to do this weekend? Planning an aviation getaway? See AOPA's enhanced calendar of events. Now you can filter events by date range, airport ID, state, or region. Before you take off on an adventure, make sure you check our current aviation weather provided by Jeppesen.

Photo Contest

Who's your favorite co-pilot?

We want to find the best general aviation photos that show pilots sharing their passion for flying with their best flying friend. Submit a photo and vote for your favorite from the submissions. The photo with the most votes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern each Wednesday will win a prize from Sporty's and AOPA, and be featured in AOPA ePilot. An overall winner will be picked by Sporty's and AOPA on May 29 for a grand prize. This week's winning photo, "Starting the Dream," was submitted by Salvador Ruiz.